00:00:01 The Israelites had to deal with pressure from relatives
00:00:05 who did not serve Jehovah,
00:00:07 and Israel was surrounded by rich and powerful nations.
00:00:12 When the Israelites relied on Jehovah,
00:00:15 he protected them from their enemies.
00:00:18 Often, though, his people allowed themselves
00:00:21 to be corrupted by their neighbors.
00:00:24 How did Jehovah respond?
00:00:27 Chapter 7 has the title
00:00:29 “The Nations ‘Will Have to Know That I Am Jehovah.’”
00:00:34 That declaration appears repeatedly throughout Ezekiel’s prophecy.
00:00:40 The theme scripture for this chapter contains a similar thought.
00:00:44 Please read Ezekiel 25:17 with me:
00:00:48 “I will execute on them great acts of vengeance
00:00:51 “with furious punishments,
00:00:53 “and they will have to know that I am Jehovah
00:00:56 when I bring my vengeance on them.”
00:00:59 We can learn much by examining the way that the Israelites
00:01:03 interacted with the surrounding people
00:01:05 —including many who were related to them—
00:01:08 and the way that Jehovah responded.
00:01:11 So when you prepare this material,
00:01:14 look for the answers to these questions:
00:01:18 Why should it not surprise us
00:01:21 if family members oppose our worship of Jehovah?
00:01:25 About what should we remain confident
00:01:27 even if powerful governments persecute us?
00:01:32 What lesson can we learn from the inhabitants of Tyre?
00:01:37 And how can we show that we know Jehovah?
00:01:41 As you study this chapter, ask yourself,
00:01:45 ‘How can I use the key points discussed to encourage someone,
00:01:49 ‘such as a Bible student,
00:01:51 to prepare for opposition?’
00:01:55 It’s so important that all of us remain loyal to Jehovah!
00:01:59 Only then can we give him pure worship.
